Adoption Books and Agencies?

Updated on
October 05, 2009

J.T.
asks from
Merced, CA
on October 03, 2009

9
answers

Hi,
My husband and I are contemplating adoption....specifically, international adoption. Does anyone have any good recommendations for books on adoption (especially with a Christian perspective?) Does any one have good experiences with any particular adoption agency? Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for your responses, information, and encouragement. I'm open to local adoption, but my husband (who was born in another country) really wants to adopt internationally. We will probably send in an application soon to adopt from China or Taiwan. Thanks again!

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J.L.

answers from
Sacramento
on
October 04, 2009

I can't give you any advice..but have to say..international adoption is less expensive than domestic....and probably much easier and smoother.....get a good lawyer who has experience in this too.

we went through foster/adopt in the state of texas and have two beautiful daughters.

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S.M.

answers from
San Francisco
on
October 03, 2009

EVERYONE should be aware that there are healthy infants available for adoption through county social services agencies, and there are ALWAYS older kids waiting for adoption. The county will pay you a stipend every month, and the child is eligible for Medi-cal, to help you raise your child. The children are sometimes drug-exposed, or have other "negative" histories, but in my experience, the county is very upfront about whatever they know of a child's history, and they will ask what your "comfort level" is, and what you can handle, without pushing. Go check out the national adoptions listings at www.adoptUS.org. They have listings of mostly older kids and sibling groups, because the babies without disabilities get adopted quickly.

I have two sons, adopted at seven weeks old, and four weeks old, through the County Social Services Department, each of whom was prenatally drug-exposed. Each of them has had slight learning disabilities, but no other aftereffects. I simply cannot imagine what my life would have been like without my sweet boys, who are now 19 and 12.

I can't understand why anyone would go halfway around the world, and pay tens of thousands of dollars, to adopt a child internationally, when there are so many kids right here who desperately need families. Some kids have to stay in foster care all their lives! The only thing I can figure is that people just don't know!

2 moms found this helpful

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M.F.

answers from
San Francisco
on
October 05, 2009

Hi J.,

I haven't adopted but I have good friends who adopted from The Home of God's Love orphanage in Taiwan. From the time they submitted their application to the time they had a baby in their house was under a year. It's a Christian orphanage (they are both very religious). http://www.thehomeofgodslove.org/

Good luck with your quest!

Peace,
M.

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J.H.

answers from
Sacramento
on
October 04, 2009

My husband and I adopted our son. It was a long process, meaning working through the psychological stuff to actually having him into our home. Once we decided we were not going to continue with infertility and build our family through adoption, we did a lot of research. During the fact finding period, I discovered an informal adoption support group in the Sacramento area that meets monthly. The information and support we received helped us to make our decision. (We too first thought we were going to do international adoption, but ended up doing a domestic adoption through Lilliput Children's Services and the department of social services.)

There are many really good books on adoption, the one that helped me most was Adoption for Dummies. Read that one first, then some of the others. There are also some online blog type sites, but we careful with them. If you live near or in the Sacramento area, contact me and I will be happy to give you more information about the support group.

Good luck.

BTW--Our adoption was finalized nearly two years ago, and we are in the process of "waiting for the call" for a second child.

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T.K.

answers from
San Francisco
on
October 05, 2009

My volunteer experience has been with a non-profit network called "Help One Child" that provides support for foster families in the bay area. It is based on the Christian belief of the gospel of Mark that we should take care of all of our children. I believe it is the best first step when deciding on adoption! This agency provides support for foster families but they also offer many valuable resources for those interested in adoption. They can provide you with an opportunity to volunteer with events, childcare for foster children, and how to go through the fost-adopt program. It is a local network not international but there are many races of children in our system here as well and many of our local services provide support for you here, I am not sure how the international system works. If you choose to adopt this would be a wonderful community to be a part of no matter what! Check it out! Ask for Judy!

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S.M.

answers from
Sacramento
on
October 04, 2009

Hi J.,

Since you've heard from several adoptive parents I thought I would throw my thoughts in as a birth mother. I chose an open adoption for my baby when he was born and went through the Independent Adoption Center. From my perspective it was a very positive experience. Over the years, the couple who adopted my son have shared that they were very happy with the agency as well. They have also adopted a second child through the same agency.

If you are set on an international adoption then I would suggest that you really do your homework. I've got several friends who have adopted internationally and are happy. The only downside is that there is rarely any medical or family information available for you so it's anyone's guess if you may have issues with the child you bring home at some point in time. Also, someone mentioned that going for an international adoption is cheaper....this is rarely the case. Again, do your homework on all of the costs involved.

If you do consider a domestic adoption I would recommend that you really research different agency's and find one that works for you. It will be a bit more cost effective if you go with an agency like IAC though just because they employ licensed social workers so this is one less person you have to hire in the process.

What a blessing that you are choosing adoption. I am thankful every single day for the couple who adopted my son. Good luck to you!

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E.P.

answers from
San Francisco
on
October 04, 2009

I am a mom through domestic adoption and very happy with it. I don't know much about international, but I started with 'adoption for dummies' (there's also an 'idiots guide to adoption'). I think there is also an 'international adoption handbook', which might be useful. There are also some good online resources. Try "Adoptive Families" (www.adoptivefamilies.org). And there are support boards for people doing international. Once I recall is something like www.frua.org, which I think was for Russian adoption.

One caution: international adoption relies on other governments remaining open to foreigners adopting their kids. I know that China is now a very long process, I think Guatamala, which was a big favourite for a while with adoptive families, is now closed (although it may be opening up as they deal with the adoption fraud problems). So definitely consider where you are looking at in light of those issues. I'm sure people more involved in the process can advise you better, though.

Good luck. Adoption is an exciting way to build a family. And as I was told: it might be second choice, it is definitely NOT second best!

E.

PS have to disagree that international adoption is cheaper than domestic. Especially if you have to make a number of overseas trips can end up being very expensive. Adoptive families do an annual survey on adoption costs so that'll give you a better idea

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J.R.

answers from
San Francisco
on
October 05, 2009

Hi,
try Shaohannah's Hope for information regarding international adoption. http://www.showhope.org. They provide information regarding international adoption. They also give financial assistance to families who wish to adopt
This organization was founded by Steven Curtis Chapman, a Christian music artist who adopted 3 little girls from China.
Hope this helps!

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K.G.

answers from
Redding
on
October 04, 2009

Hi J.,

I think it is awesome you are considering international adoption.

God's Littlest Angels is a Christian orphanage (in Haiti) worth looking into. I volunteered there and found it to be a wonderful place!! The kids are happy and full of smiles and love. They take newborns as well as older kids. The chidren go to school on the premises and are taught Christian values. It is a wonderful place!!
It saves the lives of newborns...Read about how it all started. It is Incredible. It is just an awesome place and I can't say enough about it.

They have a lot of volunteers that (all) come internationally. Some people volunteer there first, checking it out before deciding to adopt from there. Whether that is of interest to you or not, it is definetly a place worth looking into: www.gla-missions.org

If you would like more information from me about my experience or GLA feel free to contact me.

What an exciting time this must be for you! God has a special little one out there somewhere just waiting you.
You and your husband will be in my prayers.